Are horses practical pets if you work full time?

[newtron]

My wife and I kind of aquired a pet horse. We are helping a friend out by keeping his horse in our yard and trying to help him get over some issues he has. He has always been around this mare since he was very young, and when he is not , he is stubborn and almost impossible to ride. So, our friend thought it would be good for him to not be around the mare for a few months. We try to walk him around on a lead for at least an hour everyday just to get him used to us. Last weekend we took him riding for the first time by ourselves. My wife rode him and I rode the mare. We decided it would be good to have her around for this first riding session since his owner was not around. Things actually went pretty well. We have never worked with horses before. So this has been challenging, especially since he does have issues. We are learning a lot, and I am beginning to really like horses. My question is how much time should you spend working with a pet horse? It seems to me that they take a lot more time than a dog. I would love to spend more time with him, but we both work full time, although I do think we are spending more time with him than his owner did. Also, any suggestions on how to help this horse with his issues would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Curly13]

I think you are doing really well if you go up and spend an hour every day exercising him. He will then get used to you, and you will then gain his respect and should find him easier to manage. If you are spending more time with him than his owner did, he should learn to appreciate human company and therefore feel better about being away from the mare. Bringing the mare over to ride out together will get him used to being able to see her still but only at your say so, so I think you should carry on doing that once a week if possible. Keep going and you will have loads of fun, horses are brilliant pets!

[Clanad]

Ummm... living, as I do in the ranch country of the western U.S. and having owned horses most of my life, I'd be reluctant to call them pets. It's difficult to describe the work that goes into owning a horse. We, of course have acres and acres of pastures available, but they still require feeding. For one thing, you can expect to feed about 1% of the animals body weight in a good quality forage, such as hay if there is little or no pasture from which to graze. This means, even for a smallish 800 pound horse 8 to 12 pounds a day... every day... 24/7/365... Then, grain should be included... probably at least 2 pounds of oats per day. (Then there's the issue of what to do with all that manure). The horse requires at least 10 gallons of fresh water per day... even if it's freezing weather outside.... every day...
A trip to the veterinarian (assuming you can't find one to come to your place) for any ailment will require a trailer and something to pull it with. The vet's bill alone can be astounding. We had a mare that somehow got into an old abandoned scrap pile and stepped on a nail as well as had some barbed wire cuts on her legs. That bill finally topped out at $1,000 U.S. and we still take care of some of the residual effects.
I take care of the farrier duties, which you'll require if you ride the horse very much. I do it only when I want to, since it's really hard work. I charge $300 per horse... more if they have to be laid down due to their fighting the shoeing.
At any rate, I wish you well, but there are extraordinary responsibilities in owning a horse or any other large animal...

Best of luck!

[newtron]

Thanks for your answers. Clanad, I am aware of the huge responsibility involved with owning a horse, and I agree that they probably shouldn't be considered pets. I too live in ranch country ( western New Mexico), and it appears to me that the happiest horses are the ones that work on a ranch, as they are worked with and ridden almost every day. However, there are many people who don't work on a ranch but still have horses, and I would consider these "pet " horses. Having this horse for the last few weeks has really made me realize how much work owning a horse really is, and that is why I asked the question. Anyhow, we are currently lucky, as our friend is paying for all the food and care. All we have to do right now is give it hay and grain and give it exercise and ride it. It's a good deal so far. Thanks again for your answers.

[Bigeye74]

My wife has a horse (2 actually, but only one with us). She works full time and just about manages to tend to them 3 times a day 7 days a week. I am not horsey and she says that is her only regret about keeping one. I you have spare cash I would suggest livery then you can have some free time. However, if you're both happy crack on. Get a friendly vet, and they are generally helpful.

[Clanad]

I think I've seen you here on AB for a long time (although irregularly newtron... I guess I dind't realize you are in the U.S. (with a name like that, you must be near Alamogordo!).

At any rate, you don't say, but I assume the "he" horse is a gelding? If not, that can certainly be one of the behavior problems. If he has been gelded, I would suggest a really good work out a couple of times a week. By that I mean a good walk, trot, canter for at least two hours or more. If you can get him to the country and ride him in the hills, so much the better.
Another, simple, but effective tool to use in changing his attitude is to show up each time with an apple in your jacket pocket. A horse has a keen sense of smell, and apples will get his attention. He will approach you and probably nuzzle the pocket area. Let him do this for a few minutes and then have him eat it out of your hand. Again, try and be consistent and have the treat each time you go out to where he is. This let's him know you can be trusted.
This time of year, especially in your part of the country, he still has his winter coat on. This will soon begin to shed and becomes uncomfortable and itchy. Find a good curry comb (I like the ones with a wooden handle and about three rings of spring steel with teeth lookin things.) Start on his shoulders (they really like that) and then work your way around him. As time goes on curry his belly and down his legs. (Don't use a lot of pressure on his legs and be careful of the "corks" on the inside of all legs. This, again,will engender trust.
Having said all that, be a bit leary of him... he may try to bite or possibly even kick, until he's comfortably used to you.

What kind of bit are you using in the bridle? Just want to make sure he's not tender mouthed.

Best of luck!

[newtron]

Hi Clanad, Yeah when I first started posting on AB, I was in the UK, but now I am back in NM. I live in a little town called Magdalena, on HWY 60, about 2 hours east of Springerville, AZ. Thanks for your advice. Getting him out in the hills is easy, as if I walk few blocks in one direction, I am in the foothills of the Magdalena Mountains, and if I walk a few blocks in the other direction, I am in the Bear Mountains. There's lots of space out here. You know, I really don't know what kind of bit I am using. I have a lot to learn. Thanks again, and if you are in my neighborhood, let me know. Maybe we could get a drink or something. Cheers.

[Clanad]

I know the area well, newtron... As a pilot we used to fly "Hot Shot" Forest Service fire crews into Springerville, Safford or Show Low for the sometimes massive fires in the White Mountains...

You probably have no problem with the bridle and bit you're already using. Often, though, behavioral problems can be traced to equipment being used. I really suspect that a lot of the problem will resolve itself with good, persistent exercise to the point of tiredness for the animal. As I said previously, a good ride at least three times (more often if possible) a week will help. If you do get to ride him a lot, keep an eye on his feet, since the winter growth of the hooves may take a beating.
It also helps to get the horse on green grass as soon as possible in the spring. First, they kind of have to work at it since, in the high desert, it usually thin and sparse so they do a lot of walking to graze. Secondly, they really love the taste of green grass and, over the years at home, I've noticed a difference in attitude from the horses. My Dad was an old time cowboy, but broke horses using what was later called "Horse Whisperer" techniques.
At any rate... nice talking with you and good luck with the caballo de montar!...